The vessel, known as ‘Orange Roughy’, completed its last trip among the long list of its scientific expeditions for the Australian Antarctic Division on Dec 12.
RSV Aurora Australis, the only Australian built icebreaker that served the country’s Antarctic program for 30 years has been decommissioned after nearly 150 voyages to Antarctica. The vessel, known as ‘Orange Roughy‘, completed its last trip among the long list of its scientific expeditions for the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) on December 12 as it now prepares to retire at a shipyard in Dubai, to be sold or leased.

The 312-foot orange icebreaker has been replaced by another giant vessel and the scientists are now planning to refurbish the ship, according to Associated Press. Aurora Australis started conducting maiden voyages in September 1989, after its launch from NSW shipyard, north of Sydney and gained popularity after it sailed to Heard Island, an external Australian territory around the year 1990.

Since then, it ferried scientific researchers, transported food supplies and fuel for several expeditions in the Antarctic ocean. 

Read more at:
https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/australia/australian-icebreaker-rsv-aurora-australis-retires-after-150-voyages-to-antarctica.html

Located at 82°00’ South, 155° 00’ West, Siple Coast is the middle portion of the relatively ill-defined coast along the East side of the Ross Ice Shelf. Siple Coast  is the grounding line of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, where the ice meets the ocean and starts to float, becoming the Ross Ice Shelf. It is as far south as the ocean reaches anywhere in the world.

Few days ago, a traverse has left Scott Base (WAP NZL-Ø1), with a  Team of six  for a 1200km journey across the Ross Ice Shelf to the Siple Coast, where they’ll drop stores for scientists who will camp there! Click the button below, to see a short video Drilling for climate, ice and ocean history’s Team will work at Siple Coast field camp (1000 km from Scott Base) where they will use hot water to drill through the Ross Ice Shelf, then sample the ocean below and recover sedimentary cores from the sea floor.

(See location 862AB on the map) This season’s main objective is to develop an understanding of the nature of the sea-floor sediments. Future retrieval of deep sediment cores will help inform multidisciplinary studies of the stability of the Ross Ice Shelf during past warm periods. Drill holes at the Siple Coat will also support the United States Icefin project. Icefin is an under-ice robot designed to explore ice-ocean environments here on Earth and ultimately on Jupiter’s icy moon named Europa.

Source: https://www.antarcticanz.govt.nz/uploads/images/201920-Science-Poster.pdf

Thanks and credit to: GNS Science, Victoria University of Wellington

Station N (1) Bay of Isles

A small expedition consisting of W. N. Bonner and B. Stonehouse, funded by Falkland Islands Dependencies Government and administered by FIDS, did allocate letter ”N”  to the station set  at 54°03’South, 37°23’West, at Ample Bay, Bay of Isles, South Georgia . The initial though, even if that was later considered a private expedition, Station N (1) was set to study Biology and was occupied from 1953 through 1955.

The buildings consist in a main hut and small store hut. Main hut had burnt down by 1974. Debris were removed  in the Antarctic season 2005/06.
(Thanks and credit: https://www.bas.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/British-Antarctic-Stations-Refuges-v6.2-2016.pdf  )

Station N (“2”) Anvers Island (WAP GBR-28) & Old Palmer Station (WAP USA-33)

On Anvers Island, the British Antarctic Survey built and operated a Station (Base N “2”) Anvers Island at Arthur Harbour, 64°46’ South, 64°05’ West,  with purpose of  survey and geology. (Pic aside show the Base as it was in 1955)

It was occupied from 28 Feb. 1955 until 10 Jan. 1958. Closed in 1958 when local work completed. Pic aside show Base N, Anvers Island, 1955-56. (Photographer: Alexander Rennie; Archives ref: AD6/19/3/C/N1)

Thanks and credit to: https://www.bas.ac.uk/about/about-bas/history/british-research-stations-and-refuges/anvers-island-n/

The Hut at Station (Base N “2”) was loaned to the U.S. Government on July 2, 1963, which converted it into a biological laboratory and added a new building (the red one on the pic aside) in January 1965 for use by American scientists at the nearby Palmer Station.

Palmer Station  “Old” (WAP USA-33) and “New” (WAP USA-23)

The actual facility (WAP USA-23) at 64°46’27” South, 64°03’10” West is practically the second Palmer Station and it’s located on Anvers Island (pic to the left).

“Old Palmer”  (WAP USA-33) built about 1965, was about half a mile to the northwest adjacent to the site of the British Antarctic Survey “Base N”, built in the mid-fifties. The site is on what is now known as Amsler Island. Rapid recession of the ice due to global warming revealed Amsler Island as a separate island in 2004.

Amsler Island was the original site of the United States Antarctic Program research base Palmer (Old Palmer, WAP USA-33) from 1965 until the current station approximately 0.8 km (0.5 mi) away was constructed in 1968.

WAP USA-33, “Old Palmer” (Pic to the right) served as a base for those building “New Palmer”, which opened in 1968. Old Palmer was designated as an emergency refuge for the new station in case of disaster, though this perceived need disappeared over time. It was dismantled and removed from the Antarctic as part of the National Science Foundation’s environmental cleanup efforts in the early 1990s. According to Mehdi F5PFP, Old Palmer Station at Arthur Harbour  was active on air by KC4AAC 1963 &  KC4USP 1965 .

WAP did issue a separate reference to “Old Palmer Station” at Anvers Island/Amsler Island  11 years ago (2009) to recognize the two distinct evolution phases of the history of both Palmer Bases .

Station N (2) was re-open by the British in support of air facility 1969-1971 (pic to the left).

On 28 Dec 1971 the station has been destroyed by fire while being renovated by BAS. Debris was removed by the members of the US Antarctic Program in 1990/91. Only concrete foundations remain.

The Skiway on Marr Ice Piedmont was used 1969-1973 and then intermittently  until 15 Nov 1993, and once in Dec 1999.

Air operations have been transferred to Adelaide (Station T) WAP GBR-13 in 1973 when the skiway found deteriorated.

WAP has received  some fresh info from Lee (DS4MNJ). Lee wrote: «We anchored near the Jangbogo Station. Unfortunately I cannot get away from the Araon ship. We will stay here for 3 weeks. Some scientists has their own project for this area. Everything is going on as scheduled».

Lee sent us some pics which we are happy to share with the readers. After stopping by at Jangbogo Station (WAP KOR-Ø2) Lee is expect to reach King Sejong Base (WAP KOR-Ø1)at beginning of January for a long stay.

TNX Lee DS4MNJ/DT8A

We did ask Lee for any chance  to work /MM from onboard the Korean Icebreaker Araon. We are now waiting an answer.

Icebreaker Research Ship Araon

IMO 9490935, MMSI 441619000, Call Sign DSQL7.

The vessel departed from Lyttelton, Nz on 2020-11-24 13:25 LT and is currently anchoring at Jang Bogo Antarctic Research Station in Terra Nova Bay in Antarctica.

The ice-breaking research vessel Araon was built in 2009 and is sailing under the flag of Korea. She did explore the South and North Pole regions on several missions since 2009 as part of global efforts to examine the cause of global warming and study the Arctic & Antarctic  ecosystem.

The Araon, 7,487-ton , has a carrying capacity of 2901 t DWT and her current draught is reported to be 7.6 meters. Her length overall (LOA) is 111 meters from bow to stern ,her width is 19 meters. Araon  can cut through 1-meter thick ice- The vessel can accommodate around 85 crew and researchers.

Eugene RZ3EC informs WAP that  Alexei RX6A is actually operating /MM form on board of  the Russian scientific research icebreaker  “Akademik Treshnikov” (aka Akademik Tryoshnikov) on the way to Antarctica.

DX Clusters alteady report activities on FT8 & SSB on 10, 12 and 30 mts

Icebreaker AKADEMIK TRYOSHNIKOV (IMO 9548536, MMSI 273359440,  Callsign UBXH3) was reported two days ago by MarinecTraffic Terrestrial Automatic Identification System as sailing in the Atlantic Ocean.

The current position reported of AKADEMIK TRYOSHNIKOV is at 12° 25′ 49.152″ North, 19° 26′ 12.876″ West off the coasts of West Africa. The vessel is en route to the port of Cape Town, sailing at a speed of 14.4 knots and expected to arrive there on Dec 14, 08:00. as on 2020-12-02 06:45 UTC .

Akademik Tryoshnikov sailing under the flag of was built in 2012. It’s carrying capacity is 6634 t DWT and her current draught is reported to be 8.6 meters. Her length overall (LOA) is 133.53 meters and her width is 23.25 meters.

This vessel is equipped by tech laboratories able to process results of oceanographic researches, atmospheric soundings and other scientific experiments on research and development projects, studying natural processes and phenomena in the ocean as well as delivering consignments and rotating the personnel of Antarctic Stations; removing trash and waste from the Antarctic.

For those interested,  Akademik Tryoshnikov can be tracked by: https://www.myshiptracking.com/vessels/akademik-tryoshnikov-mmsi-273359440-imo-9548536 or on  http://www.vesseltracking.net/ship/akademik-tryoshnikov-9548536

“Akademik Treshnikov” (aka Akademik Tryoshnikov) is valid  for WAP WADA & WAP WACA Awards program as well as for Polar Challenge (FT8 contacts are not valid for Polar Challenge)

Oleg UA6GG has just forwarded WAP an information coming from RX6A, Alexey Romov ( ex: 4K1B,4K1C,4K1K,4K1L)

As part of the seasonal work of RAE 66 (66^th Russian Antarctic Expedition) Alexey P. Romov, RX6A will be part of the Russian Team in the Antarctic . Alexey plans to operate  (tentatively) as RX6A/ММ from  07 through 25 December.

From 25 December 2020 through 30 May 2021 (tentatively) Alexey could be active as RIØ1ANT from Progress Station, WAP RUS-11 (pic aside) and Vostok Base (WAP RUS-13) .

Alexey will work preferably CW and FT8 mostly on 7 MHz.

TNX Oleg UA6GG
www.dxtrophy.com

Russia is also planning to reopen Russkaya Station (WAP RUS-12)

About $4.6 million to be invested in Russkaya Station in Antarctica by 2021. The Russian Antarctic Expedition has obtained about 300 million rubles for the purpose. The decision to reopen the station was made mostly at the initiative of the space corporation Roscosmos.  Russkaya Station (WAP RUS-12) was set up in the 1970s. Starting from 1980 it operated as a seasonal field base. Budget constraints forced its suspension in 1990.

For a long time the Russian Antarctic Expedition pressed for its reactivation. A group of researchers visited it in 2008 to install distance monitoring equipment.

Source: https://tass.com/economy/1059721

Organizing an Antarctic expedition in the times of COVID19 is quite a challenge, so the German Polar Institute (AWI) had to find a different approach to the logistics for the upcoming Antarctic summer season. All transports will be carried out by ship directly from Germany. There is only a small team of about 20 technicians and scientists travelling to Neumayer III  Station (WAP DEU-Ø8), this year. YL Theresa,  DC1TH and Felix, DL5XL will be part of that group.

During the voyage, from December 20 for about one month, Felix will operate as DPØPOL/MM from the Icebreaker R/V Polarstern, mainly in CW and digital modes.

From mid-January to mid-March 2021, DL5XL expects to be active from the research station “Neumayer III” signing DP1POL. More information about Neumayer Station III,  are available at the station’s official web site

The Ham station in Antarctica is equipped for HF and QO-100 satellite. Club call DPØGVN may also be used at times by other operators.

QSL manager for DPØPOL/MM and DPØGVN is Dominik DL5EBE.

QSL cards for DP1POL will be handled by Ray DL1ZBO (direct, bureau or LotW for all call signs).

WAP wish good luck  to the whole crew on the way to Antarctica, hope to catch you on the air!

TNX Volker DL8JDX

About the recent DPØPOL/MM operation from the Arctic, DL5EBE says:
QSLs for QSOs made with DPØPOL/mm icebreaker R/V POLARSTERN during the MOSAIC International Arctic Drift Expedition are printed. Requests received will be answered the same way as they came in.

TNX Dominik DL5EBE

While the French Minister of Research greets the new coming personnel involved in the new Antarctic season at the French-Italian Station, the winter-over did end at Concordia (WAP MNB-Ø3) with the arrival of the first flight from MZS (WAP ITA-Ø1).

Live from Antarctica, connection with the Concordia Base November 27 at 08,30 UTC

The audience will have the opportunity to make a “Live” visit to the Concordia Base in Antarctica, to interact with the logistic and scientific staff of the 2020/2021 summer campaign and get to know the Chief of the 36th Italian Scientific Expedition.

Located on the Antarctic plateau, at 3,233 m of altitude, in the site called “Dome C“ (75 ° 06 ‘South and 123 ° 21’East), Concordia is one of the three permanent stations currently operating in the Continental Antarctica.

It is managed by two countries, Italy and France, through their respective Antarctic National Programs.

During the Live connection, the public will  learn about all the activities that are carried out in such an inhospitable place and understand Italy’s contribution to research in Antarctica.

Moderator: Luca Carra – Journalist

Introduces: Guido Di Donfranceso – Antarctica Technical Unit, ENEA

Speaker:  Rocco Ascione – Chief of 36th Italian Scientific Expedition to Concordia
Register yourself for the event at: https://futuroremoto2020.it/contatti/ (Registration code A227)

More at:  http://www.uta.enea.it/

Volker, DL8JDX wrote: By the way the name Concordia reminds me that in 2018 the Austrian medical doctor Carmen Possnig did participate at an overwintering expedition on the international Antarctic Research Station Concordia Dome-C (operated by France and Italy).

There was an radio interview by the German broadcast station Bayern 1 with her at Oct.29, 2020.
See and hear: https://www.br.de/mediathek/podcast/blaue-couch/carmen-possnig-medizinerin-und-antarktisforscherin/1808511

She also did write a book “Südlich vom Ende der Welt“ (South from the end of the world) about her impressions on the icy continent.

See: https://wwwrandomhouse.de/Buch/Suedlich-vom-Ende-der-Welt/Carmen-Possnig/Ludwig/e574614.rhd

and

https://durchdieantarktischenacht.com/author/underantarcticskies/

TNX Volker, DL8JDX

WAP has been informed about the death  of RU1ZC Valentin Mykitenko  at the age of 70.

It’s a real sad news. Another friend, another Polar veteran, another wonderful radio operator  passing away.

Valentin has been active Ham from the Arctic and Antarctica. He did visit and operate from almost all the Russian stations  and always coming on the air with his solid signal, CW & SSB.

We are feeling sad, when reviewing his QSL always sent regularly. We have lost  a great expeditioner, We’ll miss him very much.

Our deepest condolences to his family and friends

Today, Ham radio community mourn Valentin Mykitenko’s passing, we pray for him. May Lord give Valentin the eternal peace.

Southgate Amateur Radio News reports that, on November 3, 2020, German TV broadcaster WDR aired a news story about radio amateur Theresa DC1TH who is part of the Neumayer-III Base 2021/22 overwintering crew.

She is expected to be on-the-air from Antarctica with the callsign DPØGVN using the QO-100 geostationary satellite amateur radio transponder.
Theresa DC1TH visited AMSAT-DL at the amateur radio facility at the Bochum radio observatory for some brief training in the use of QO-100 before traveling to the Neumayer III Station.

AMSAT-DL provided the QO-100 satellite ground station for DPØGVN nearly a year ago, it has been operated by Roman HB9HCF.

You can watch the WDR news item at
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1036866973482808

Further information on QO-100 can be found at
https://amsat-uk.org/satellites/geo/eshail-2/

Source: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/november/antarctica-radio-ham-on-tv.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AmateurRadioNews+%28Southgate+Amateur+Radio+News%29#.X6bTsdHsbyB

TNX Bob, K4MZU

Also known as Rasmussen Point, this Hut is located at 65°15’South,  64°06’West on Rasmussen Island in the North part of Waddington Bay, Graham Coast in Antarctica.

Building did start 29 Mar 1984, completed early 1985 and occasionally used from Mar 1984 through 6 Feb 1996. Now the Hut is used as emergency refuge and recreational shelter.

Rasmussen Hut is occasionally used by Ukrainian personnel from Vernadsky Station (WAP UKR-Ø1) a Ukrainian Antarctic Station located at Marina Point on Galindez Island of Argentine Islands, not far from Kiev Peninsula. Vernadsky Research Base is situated 8 km west of Rasmussen Island.
WAP does not have evidence of Ham Radio activity from this site which is listed on WAP-WADA Directory as GBR-NEW

McMurdo Station (WAP USA-22), where the ARM Facility’s most advanced cloud and aerosol instrumentation, has a meteorological relationship with the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) via circulation patterns in the Ross and Amundsen seas.

From McMurdo, the second ARM Mobile Facility (AMF2) gathered sophisticated data with cloud radars, high-spectral-resolution lidar, and a complete aerosol suite with relevance to the WAIS Divide Camp (WAP USA-34) as well.

Figure aside. The “skip container” housing the AWARE Extended Facility instruments at the WAIS Divide Ice Camp (WAP USA-34)

Read more at: https://www.arm.gov/publications/programdocs/doe-sc-arm-17-028.pdf 

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility maintains field sites in the Southern Great Plains, the North Slope of Alaska and the Tropical Western Pacific, plus an aerial facility, to obtain continuous measurements of cloud and radiative properties for improving climate models. In addition to these fixed sites, two mobile facilities provide flexible instrument platforms for conducting atmospheric experiments lasting from 6 to 12 months, anywhere in the world.

The purpose of the AMF Is to collect essential Information about cloudy and clear atmospheres in under-sampled climatically important regions. In some of these regions even the macroscopic deed structure is relatively unknown. The AMF produces data sets for use by the atmospheric community to test and improve parametrizations in global climate models.

Data from the AMF are processed and evaluated for overall quality by scientific staff. Algorithms may be developed to create higher-level data products for specific science needs. Data from the AMF are made available to the community in near real time

Each deployment is the result of a competitive process based upon scientific proposals submitted by learns of scientists. The ARM Climate Research Facility’s Science Board reviews proposals for using the AMF in order to maximize the science return within the budget allotted to the program. All data collected by ARM are freely available from the data archive at: www.archive.arm.gov

Thanks and credit to: The U.S. Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM)
“Image courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility.”

In a message just received, Lee Sang-hoon says that after 15 days of self-isolation, he will ride I/B Araon tomorrow.

Lee wrote: Fortunately, I got a chance to be back to King Sejong Station.  It is last day for self-quarantine today, I will be on ARAON the Korean Icebreaker.

We will leave here on 31 oct 2020 and drop by Jangbogo station (WAP KOR-Ø2) for a while  and then King Sejong station (WAP KOR-Ø1).
I will be at King Sejong station  around  January 15^th 2021. I’ll keep in touch.

TNX Lee Sang-hon DS4NMJ
Lee, return for the 6^th time in Antarctica … our congrats!  Take care Lee, we’ll be looking for you though!

King Sejong Station,
62° 13’ 22” South, 58° 47’ 18” West,   is located on the coast of Maxwell Bay, surrounded by King George Island and Nelson Island in the South Shetland Islands, parallel to
the Antarctic Peninsula of West Antarctica.

The King Sejong Station (WAP KOR-Ø1) was inaugurated in February 1988 as year-round station. Overwinter party, consisting of around 17 crew members, is on duty for the operation and maintenance of station.

In the Austral summer season, approximately 100 international researchers visit the station to conduct various scientific research activities.

Thanks and credit: https://eng.kopri.re.kr/eng/html/infra/02010101.html where you can get lots more

Become familiar with philatelic terms is not an hard task.  WAP is proposing some of the most common definitions to help the novices, in particular those who enjoy Antarctic philately.

Cachet: A commemorative marking, illustration or description on an envelope which explains the commemorative purpose when it was mailed and is usually applied by a rubber stamp.

In particular, the ones from Antarctica are tracking the story of the scientific expedition in the Icy continent

Cancellation: An authorized mark applied to a stamp to prevent its reuse by defacing it surface

Cover: Philatelic cover is an envelope prepared with a stamp(s) and address and sent through the mail delivery system for the purpose of creating a collectible item. Stamp collectors began to send mail to each other and to themselves early on, and philatelic mail is known from the late 19th century onward. The Antarctic philatelic covers are the most wanted ones among collectors.

Ship Cover: In philately, a “ship cover” is a cover that was mailed aboard a ship, while a “naval cover” is one posted on a Navy vessel. Shipboard postal facilities are ubiquitous on ships of any size, although the “Post Office” may consist only of an alcove and a sailor working it part-time.

Postmark: Any markings on a postal item, such as a cancellation, which records the date and/or origin of its connection with the postal service and its transit through the mail system

Paquebot, what does it means?
Ship covers usually carry a Paquebot postmark and/or a postmark unique to the vessel. Collectors of ship covers will look for different types used at different periods, as well as for covers indicating routing through particular ports, and so forth.

Beginners may have noticed, some cover with a handstamp of “PAQUEBOT” . For those who don’t know what it means, here is a brief explanation: «The word in French, translates literally to “ship”. A letter, a postcard on an envelope  that has that postmark PAQUEBOT handstamped on it, means that it has been posted at sea».

Read more at:https://www.warwickandwarwick.com/news/guides/philatelic-terms

Recently I have received a big folder full of Antarctic envelopes, sent by a well known Antarctic veteran, DL8JDX Volker (ex Y24LN, Y88POL). My collection of Antarctic philatelic matters has increased a lot, but thanks to Volker we’ve been happy to use some of these envelopes to explain a few items.

TNX DL8JDX

Korea’s Antarctic Scientific Base King Se-Jong (WAP KOR-Ø1).  on King George Island,  South Shetlands 62°13′ 26″ South, 58°47′ 27″ West

After almost 3 years  from his previous  stay,  Sang Hoon Lee, DS4NMJ is going to return at KSJ Base, as part of the next Korean scientific Team. Call sign will be again DT8A. Lee,  hopes to be active from late December to the  beginning of  January 2021.  QRV on FT8, CW & SSB, 100w.

QSL via DS5TOS (DIRECT with  SASE + 2-3$ )

Halley VI (a) WAP GBR-40

Seba SQ1SGB will sail to Halley VI(a) Base next December. He hopes to be active for 5 weeks, starting beginning of January 2021.

Callsign SQ1SGB/VP8  if that VP8 will not be allowed due to the new strange rules of the Falklands authorities, Seba will use in alternative SQ1SGB/A or maybe /ANT or /P. WAP did ask him to  check if some others Huts or Refuges have been set nearby  Halley in the last 10 years. Perhaps there could be some  not yet listed into the WAP-WADA Directory. We know that there are 2 potential new entries:

Bob-Pi hut was erected in the hinge zone on 6 November 1962. It was used as a depot and staging post for journeys into Coats Land as well as for recreational purposes.

Coats Station, established in Coats Land, at Lat. 77° 54′ S, Long. 24° 08′ W, 200 miles south of Halley Station on 30 November 1964. It was positioned to allow the triangulation of ionospheric measurements to be taken in conjunction with Halley Station and the Argentine General Belgrano Station. It was manned until 18 March 1965 when it was removed (?)

If ruins may exist,  that will be a place valid for WAP.

TNX Gabry IK1NEG

For a year the German icebreaker  “Polarstern” was on a MOSAiC expedition in the Arctic to study the effects of climate change. In the early morning of October 12th,  R/V Polarstern of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research is finally back in its home port of Bremerhaven.

This ends the most extensive expedition in the history of North polar research.
Andreas, DL3LRM, did arrive on board for the last leg of the MOSAiC expedition. He  was occasionally active onboard under the callsign DPØPOL/MM. The greatest chance of contact with the international expedition and it was really a great deal of pleasure to work DPØPOL/MM  on CW when operatedHF by from the ship. QSL Via DL5EBE.

TNX DL5XL Felix, DL1AX Harald and DL8JDX Volker

https://www.funkamateur.de/nachrichtendetails/items/MOSAiC-Ende.html

Research vessel Polarstern (IMO 8013132 , MMSI 211202460, Type Ice breaker), was first commissioned in 1982. Since then, the ship has completed almost 270 expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic. Specially designed for working in polar seas, Polarstern is currently one of the most sophisticated polar research and supply vessels in the world.

Read more at: https://www.research-in-germany.org/en/research-landscape/research-organisations/research-infrastructures/research-vessel-polarstern.html

The Hut, 68°28’18”South,  78°11’16”East, is temporarily moved to the sea ice near the Plough Island skiway for up to 2 months in summer, then returned back to Ace lake.

This refuge (pic below to the Right) consists of 1 Apple type Hut, and provides accommodation for 2 people. The hut is equipped with food, fuel and cooking facilities and has a list of instructions peculiar to the hut’s fittings and contents. A radio is available at this location. Ace Lake Refuge Hut (WAP AUS-NEW) is located near the north-western extremity of Long Fjord, 0.5 hours by quad from Davis Base (WAP AUS-Ø3). Under normal conditions, no point in the Vestfold Hills is further than 3 hours travel by vehicle from a refuge or the station. The refuge was established in summer 2004/05 to support research projects at Ace Lake.

Tech features: Apple huts,  such as the one at Ace lake, are constructed from eight basic curved wall sections and four floor panels, with an access door and clear windowpanes. The market approach of this product is to offer a ‘rigid tent’ rather than a sophisticated accommodation module. The hut are fitted with a circular ventilation/escape hatch at the apex of the dome.

The fibreglass fabrication is designed to allow erection in the field with minimal logistical requirements for deployment, limited cold-paths for improved thermal performance, including 6mm thick fire retardant polyurethane spray foam insulation.
Apple huts have been used by the AAD since the mid-1980s.

For the above pics of Ace Lake Refuge Hut, thanks and credit to AAD (Australian Antarctic Division)

The Browning Peninsula Refuge (66°28’10” South, 110°33’00” East) is 21 km due south of Casey Station (WAP AUS-Ø2).

The 60 km inland route for all vehicles is hard. Vehicles may become bogged or stuck; deadmen, planks and winches must be carried. Browning Peninsula may be accessible across the sea ice from Robinson’s Ridge during winter, and depends upon prior measurement of the ice thickness.

Browning is the furthest of the huts around Casey Station at about 60 km from station by GPS route. The area around Browning is spectacular with lots of hills, rocks and lakes. The Hut can sleep 6 people.

Browning Refuge is a custom-built sled-mounted hut made from AANBUS panel and accommodates 4 people, equipped with a radio, food, fuel, cooking facilities and comprehensive first aid  kit and has a list of instructions peculiar to its fittings and contents.. The Refuge is used in summer to support field personnel, and for recreation.

Who knows if someday a willing Ham could set in and operate HF from there?

Thanks and credit: AAD (Australian Antarctic Division) and https://eies.ats.aq/Ats.IE/ieGenRpt.aspx?idParty=2&period=1&idYear=2019

Australia’s Aurora Australis is going to be gifted to Argentina to work on their Antarctic program, and will be sailed  to South America by an Australian crew before the end of this year.

In November the ship will be brought from Australia by sailors from that country,  to Ushuaia, where Argentine personnel will embark. Then both teams will sail  to Buenos Aires, where the transfer ceremony will take place.

An article by Adrian Luciani reported on Argenports.com ,   Adrian says that  before the end of the year 2020, quite possibly next November, Argentina will add another icebreaker ship to accompany its  “Admiral Irízar” in the Antarctic campaigns. The Argentine  I/B Irizar,  was launched in 1977, although she was out of service for 10 years for maintenance works after a fire onboard  (2007/2017), she’s actually back in employ.

“Aurora Australis”, is a used unit that was deactivated by Australia and that will be transferred free of charge to the Argentine Navy.

The Australian “Aurora Australis” is a 30 years old vessel that until recently, was in e service of the Australian Antarctic Program and is now being replaced by the “I/B Nuyina”.

Read more at: http://argenports.com/…/argentina-suma-al-rompehielos…

A new earthquake of significant magnitude occurred on Monday afternoon (oct. 5, 2020) in Argentina’s Antarctica, reported the National Institute for Seismic Prevention (INPRES) based in San Juan.

It was reported at 16:01 local time (19:01 GMT) with its epicenter near Base Carlini  5.2 degrees on the Richter scale at a depth of 7 and 11 kilometers. At the moment, there are no reports of damages or people affected.

Scientific Base Carlini (WAP ARG-2Ø) lies 1019 kilometers southeast of Ushuaia TdF (WAP ARG-23)

Source:  https://www.infofueguina.com/tu-ciudad/2020/10/5/sismo-en-la-antartida-de-52-grados-de-magnitud-51156.html?fbclid=IwAR0Ts22NhfJodR9pUhzyqw7c6i0Jdn8bSY4AtA27oVN5Y-xrczFOiYF3HTo

Thanks to Dr. Volker Strecke DL8JDX (ex Y88POL) a well known German Antarctic veteran (pic aside), WAP is now able to retrace the history of two unknown Huts, later joined and became a Refuge.

These two forgotten Huts  and a Refuge will be inserted into WAP-WADA Directory which, day by day becomes more and more accurate.  Even if these Huts and Refuge have been dismantled and removed, it will be great to document their existence.

Lake Podprudnoye Hut, (WAP DDR-NEW) Built in 1987, this Hut  shown on the right, was a living container which was placed at that site as,  at that time it was considered to build a new Georg Forster  Station nearby. Later this plan was cancelled.
The Hut was located at  70°46′ South,  11°37′ East,  close to  Podprudnoye Lake.
(the two Pics to the Right,  show the hut on its positions on Podprudnoye.  The man  near the hut is Volker. Pictures were taken from different angles)

Lake Prilednikovoye Hut, (WAP DDR-NEW)  located at  70°46′ South,  11°36′ East , (see picture below to the Left)  was built in 1985 and remained in operation till 1988. It was located close to Prilednikovoye Lake.

A decision decision to join Lake Podprudnoye Hut with the other hut moved from Lake Prilednikovoye was taken in the Antarctic summer season 1988-1989 .

Old hut from the Lake Prilednikovoye was relocated and combined with the hut existing at the northern coast of the Lake Podprudnoye.  Both Huts together were called “Domik” (hut in Russian language) , they were set at  70°46′ South,  11°37′ East..

Both Lake Prilednikovoye Hut   and Lake Podprudnoye Hut were about 9 km west from the site of Georg Forster Station (WAP DDR-Ø1)

Picture aside shows both huts together.

Lake Podprudnoye Hut (at his second  and last setup) was though formed by both  the huts present in that area:  the one  moved from Lake Prilednikovoye  and  the Hut already  in place at Lake Podprudnoye.

This Refuge did remain on place  from 1988 through 1993 when it was dismantled

A detailed map below,  show the locations of both Lake Podprudnoye and Lake Prilednikovoye

Volker DL8JDX wrote: «These huts  were used as small support base for the scientific activities in the western part of the Schirmacher Oasis. Because this area of the Oasis could be explored only by foot,  it was good to have a shelter to work and sleep apart of the main Station».
Volker said that there were no Hamradio activities from these two huts, just VHF and HF radio traffic to the Georg Forster main station and neighboured bases even if  «I was myself working and sleeping in the “Domik” at lake Podprudnoye between 1988 and 1992 several times».

TNX Volker Strecke, DL8JDX (info@strecke.de)

Radio Club Ushuaia is  very grateful to the Hams  that have operated from September 25 to 30 in a special radio event to celebrate  60 years anniversary of the creation of   “Tierra del Fuego National Park”  together with a  tribute to the people who work every day to conserve and beautify this beloved national park Tierra del Fuego.

Tierra del Fuego National Park (Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego) is a national park on the Argentine part of the island of Tierra del Fuego, within Tierra del Fuego province (WAP ARG-23) in the ecoregion of Patagonic Forest and Altos Andes, a part of the sub antarctic forest. Established on 15 October 1960 and expanded in 1966, it was the first shoreline national park to be established in Argentina.

A special Certificate “60 Years of the foundation of  the Tierra Del Fuego National Park”  is available to Hams that made  the required contacts . To get more info send a mail to lu8xw@lu8xw.com.ar  or visit the page of Radio Club Ushuaia at:

http://www.lu8xw.com.ar/site/323-60-anos-del-parque-nacional-tierra-del-fuego

Oasis Research Station 66°12’28” South, 100°45’00”East,  was built by the Soviet Antarctic Expedition  in 1956 and named Oazis (Оазис). The station has been visited periodically by Polish and other research teams. Official classification of the station is “inactive”. The station is only occasionally visited by tourists.
Picture aside shows the Research Station Oasis photographed in 1958 during the 3rd Soviet Antarctic Expedition of 1957-59.

The station was located in the east of Antarctica on the edge of a dry valley. Photographed in 1958.

As far as we know, nobody has been active for this old epic Russian Station. It will be interesting to know if someone have evidence of Ham radio operation from there, in this case a WAP reference will be given for sure.

The Station has been  handed over to Poland in 1959, who renamed the facility as  A.B. Dobrowolski Polar Station.

Also known as Reclus hut or Portal Point this Refuge was located at 64°30’ South, 61°46’ West , at Portal Point, Reclus Peninsula, Danco Coast, with  survey and geology purposes.

It was occupied from 13 Dec 1956 to 25 Apr 1958.

Party from Danco Island (Station “O” WAP GBR-11) wintered there 1957 to continue local survey work. 4 man party, led by Wally Herbert, completed the first traverse from Hope Bay to Cape Reclus from 9 Oct through 30 Dec 1957.

Pic on the right shows Cape Reclus refuge, 1957-58. (Photographer: Richard Foster; Archives ref: AD6/19/2/O3/2)

Thanks and credit to:  https://www.bas.ac.uk/about/about-bas/history/british-research-stations-and-refuges/cape-reclus-refuge/

Cape Reclus Refuge has been dismantled in Mar 1996 and transported to the Falkland Islands Museum, Stanley, Falkland Islands. (Erected as an exhibit Dec 1998, refurbished Nov 2007, re-built inside the new Museum 2014.)
Only concrete foundations remain at Portal Point. The ruins will anyway considered valid for WAP-WADA & WAP-WACA Award program.

On 14-15 march 2011, during his Antarctica Expedition, VP8DLM operated by Mehdi, F5PFP did activate this rare location to which a WAP reference number has been given as WAP GBR-36.

For 17 years now, without interruption, Hams from Italy and few others coming from neighboring European Countries have joined a Multi Program Meeting  in Northen Italy at the foot of the Alps.

This strange 2020 with lots of problems connected to the Covid 19 did not stopped the enthusiasm of the organizers so that the 19^th DCI Meeting (Italian Castles) among the  11^th  IFFA (Flora and Fauna) and 17^th Worldwide Antarctic Program (WAP) was held  last 18-21 September in the nice frame of  “Hotel Restaurant Commercio” Roccaforte Mondovì, at the foot of the Alps in another historical site in the province of Cuneo.

Perfect organization well managed by the group of ARI-Mondovì (Italian Amateur Radio Association) with several speakers who debated some of the most interesting topics of  DXing and the spasmodic search for the “New One”.
Antarctica and WAP have been carried on by Max IK1GPG and Betty IKQFM who shown the results obtained in terms of rankings and diplomas awarded to Ham radio fans of Antarctica from all over the world.
Since 40 years WAP continue to achieve success, thanks to a large group of  Hams and Chasers, Students and Antarctic followers. This make us very happy and  motivates us to continue despite our commitments and our work. WAP Awards, Antarctic bulletins, Directories, regular information posted on WAP website, are just some of the goals to which we are proud also because everything has been put online for free. Our passion to the Icy Continent  makes us forget the fatigue and we are always comforted by the satisfaction of knowing that there are many of us in the world with the same passion. Thanks to the hundreds radio amateurs  and friends who have collaborated and continue to collaborate with us, providing news and information.

(Pictures above show the authority in front of the 2010’s banner of the Meeting and the intervention by the Mayor of the city.).

Thanks to IK1QFM Betty, IK1GPG Max, KK3Q Floyd  and last but not least I1HYW Gianni

Thanks everyone WW for keeping the Antarctic  passion always alive.
Enjoy Antarctica as much as we do!

Reconstruction of the Vostok II Station,  the only inland Antarctic station used by Russia,  is scheduled to be completed by 2024.

“At present, work is being completed on the design of residential modules with working rooms for laboratories, engineering modules and a garage, which will be manufactured and delivered to St. Petersburg at the expense of private funds. In the future, at the expense of federal funds, the modules will be delivered to the Progress station, and from there,  across the territory of Antarctica to the destination for assembly. The last section of the route will be about 1500 kilometers and will be covered by a sledge-caterpillar train. This is the only way to reach the station by land – nine months a year it is cut off from the rest of the world ” commented Sergei Khrushchev, Director of the Department of State Policy and Regulation in Hydrometeorology, Arctic, Antarctic and World Ocean Studies of the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources .

Recall that the first experimental flight to the station took place in 2019. As a result, the specialists completed the revision of the sled, which will deliver the component parts of modules weighing up to 60 tons.

The delivery of fuel to Progress and the compaction of the site for the placement of facilities at the Vostok station is in full swing. After its reconstruction on an area of ​​2500 square meters.  will accommodate residential modules, laboratories, a medical unit, a power plant, garages for equipment. In the Antarctic summer, 35 people will work at the station, 15 will remain for the winter.

The 65th seasonal expedition is currently underway. It involves 110 winterers who spend about a year in Antarctica and 120 seasonal employees. The scientific expedition vessels “Akademik Treshnikov” and “Akademik Fedorov”, as well as the research vessel “Akademik Alexander Karpinsky” are involved in the work.

Source: http://www.mnr.gov.ru/press/news/rekonstruktsiyu_rossiyskoy_stantsii_vostok_v_antarktide_planiruetsya_zavershit_do_2024_goda/

Photo are coming from the official website of the Russian Antarctic Expedition

In addition, it is reported that, last Jan. the snow surface at the site was being compacted to accommodate the future facilities & fuel loads were being delivered in advance at the coastal Base Progress II (WAP RUS-11). With a post on FB, Alexey Loginov informs   that new building of Vostok II station is ready for transportation to Antarctica!

The project of the new station was performed by a  German company, while bilders are from Novatec company (specialized on LNG at Arctica), and all constructions will reach Antarctica this season. All material  load on Polar ships will land at Progress II Base (WAP RUS-11), then  will be transported on site by huge sledge with over 1000 km traverse

A training of аssembly will be performed in St. Petersburg, then the building will be disassembled, loaded on ship, heading the Antarctic coast, pre-assembled blocks will move on a huge sled.

The Polar Ship Sevmorput, the world’s only nuclear-powered cargo ship, is currently preparing for a voyage to Antarctica to supply the new Russia’s Vostok II Research station.
When ready, the Antarctic hunters will be looking forward a Radio contact on HF as for sure, the New Vostok Station (Vostok II) will be a brand NEW WAP WADA  reference.

Refuge Cristo Redentor is an Antarctic refuge located at 63°33′ South, 57°22′ West at the western access to Duse Bay in the Trinity Peninsula, 25 kilometres (16 mi) from Esperanza Base (WAP  ARG-Ø4). It is administered by the Argentine Army and was inaugurated on May 25, 1955.
The Refuge, is one of the 18 shelters that are under the responsibility of Esperanza, which is responsible for the maintenance and the care. It has capacity for 12 people, food for two months, fuel, gas and first aid kit. It has been used in some Argentine scientific campaigns and ordinary patrolling. The main scientific observations are the geology and topography of the area, the sea ice and survey on the Crabeater seal and the Weddel seal.

Between September 1956 and January 1957, the assistant Sergeant Domingo Avila and Sergeant Telmo Buonomo, officiating as commissioners in the refuge area, were isolated by an early melting of the sea in the Duse Bay. They survived four months until were rescued by ARA General San Martìn icebreaker’s helicopter.

Colbeck Hut 67°24’51” South, 61°00’18” East, is located 100 km west of Mawson Base (WAP AUS-Ø4) and 5 km north-east of Taylor Glacier on an island in the Colbeck Archipelago. Established in 1988, it is used as shelter for visitors to the Taylor Glacier area, including to monitor the Taylor Glacier emperor penguin colony in ASPA 101. It can only be accessed over fast ice or via rotary wing aircraft. The refuge  can accommodate four persons.  It contains medical facilities such as comprehensive first aid  kit, food and fuel for heating, lighting, and cooking (either kerosene or LPG)

Thanks and credit: https://eies.ats.aq/Ats.IE/ieGenRpt.aspx?idParty=2&period=1&idYear=2019

Colbeck Hut Refuge (WAP AUS-NEW) is one of the several Antarctic sites never been operated by Hams. This makes these locations very interesting:
1) because they are rare and not so popular
2) because the Ham world always hope someone will operate from there one day or another!
3) By now, we are satisfied  to know that these places exist and are listed on WAP-WADA Directory.

DPØPOL/mm is going to be active shortly. So far, the call sign has only been used on FT8 and PACTOR, so there is some real radio operation now!

Felix, DL5XL has just informed WAP that in spite of the fact that there  has not been much to report in the past months, now there is some ham radio related news: Andreas, DL3LRM, has arrived on board of  R/V Polarstern for the last leg of the MOSAiC expedition.
Here a short note of the mission:
Embark on the largest polar expedition in history: in September 2019, the German research icebreaker Polarstern has set sail from Tromsø, Norway, to spend a year drifting through the Arctic Ocean – trapped in ice.

The goal of the MOSAiC expedition is to take the closest look ever at the Arctic as the epicenter of global warming and to gain fundamental insights that are key to better understand global climate change. Hundreds of researchers from 20 countries are involved in this exceptional endeavour. Following in the footsteps of Fridtjof Nansen’s ground-breaking expedition with his wooden sailing ship Fram in 1893-1896, the MOSAiC expedition will bring a modern research icebreaker close to the north pole for a full year including for the first time in polar winter. The data gathered will be used by scientists around the globe to take climate research to a completely new level. Led by atmospheric scientist Markus Rex, and co-led by Klaus Dethloff and Matthew Shupe, MOSAiC is spearheaded by Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI).

Thanks and credit: https://mosaic-expedition.org/

Going back to Felix  report, the Ham Radio Station is up and running,  so Andreas, DL3LRM,   will be active in CW signing DP0POL/MM  on 40m, 30m, and 20m from various locations near the North Pole. QSL via DL5EBE
Felix DL5XL assures the Ham Community  that they might be able to set up a sked once Andreas  makes the first contacts.  -I am in regular contact with him through our office- Felix said.

And about the upcoming Antarctic season, we have no idea yet – Felix said-  The virus really makes things very difficult!

TNX Felix Riess DL5XL

R/V Polarstern is valid for WAP WADA and for the French Polar DX Challenge. Good luck to hunt  DPØPOL/MM in the next weeks

Field camp at Spaulding Pond, is located at  77° 39’ South, 163° 7’ East is a pond 0.3 nautical miles (0.6 km) northeast of the terminal ice cliff of Howard Glacier in Taylor Valley, Victoria Land, Antarctica.

The name was suggested by Diane McKnight, leader of United States Geological Survey (USGS) field teams, which studied the hydrology and geochemistry of streams and ponds in the Lake Fryxell basin, Taylor Valley, 1987–94. Named after USGS hydrologist Sarah Ann Spaulding, a member of the team during two seasons, 1988–89 and 1991–92, who studied the pond.

Spaulding Pond Field Camp,  77° 39’ South, 163° 7’ East,   will be add to the WAP-WADA Directory under MNB-NEW.

A WAP number will be given if and when an HF operation will put this “new entry”  on the air.

Thanks and credit to: Anthony Powell (A Year on Ice https://www.facebook.com/AntarcticaAYearOnIce/ ) See the spot pubblished at “Antarctica- A Year On Ice” by  Anthony Powell’s page on June 9th.